Chapter 25.
Over in Auradom in what used to be the mighty gingerbread fortress which is now ruined. We have Hilda daughter of Hercules and Megara.
"The perfect gateway to this other universe of storytelling," Hilda commented. Little does she know that she is being watched in the shadows.
"That's right dear cousin it is the perfect gateway, with the perfect fool to open the gateway," Patrick says to himself. Hilda takes a deep breath before lifting her left hand up slightly.
"Helena's magic built this place, so hopefully my theory about using it as anchor is correct," Hilda said.
"Just get on with it," Patrick complained in a whisper so she would hear.
"Blood to blood I call on thee, help me draw energy from this place to open a doorway through time and space. Allow me to cross universes to catch my pray to bring justice this very day." Hilda chants drawing on most of her power only a few minutes later a portal opens and she smiles a wicked laugh before entering the portal.
"Zeus's family all muscle and no brains." Patrick chuckled before following her.
Right now back in Storybrooke, over at Ashley and Sean's place. Chad has just gotten out of the shower and walks over to the mirror after he dried himself and got changed. Chad stares in horror at his reflection his true reflection which is a constant reminder that he isn't supposed to be here or anywhere!
"No! No, Nooo this can't be happening right now." Chad says to himself, he thought he had more time he didn't expect the glamour to break down so quickly.
"Is everything okay in there Chad?" Alexandra asked from outside the guest room which Chad is currently occupying.
"Yeah, yeah, of, course it is just brushing my teeth and getting changed." Chad lied. He then quickly opens the bedroom window and jumps out of it doing his best to land safely onto the ground and running just running to the only person he knows that could help. It only took him half an hour to find Marcel outside the animal shelter. Neal is just locking up at the moment.
"MARCEL!" Chad shouts. Marcel sighs and turns only to quickly spot Chad in his true form.
"My past is supposed to stay in the past," Marcel complained.
"I-I need your help, Marcel, I really need your help your magic," Chad tells Marcel.
"My glamour broke the moment you betrayed me, those pesky potions just delayed the process.
"Too bad you don't deserve any help from me," Marcel says.
"Marcel, please I-I know I did some bad things. But I can't live like this forever people always seeing a monster." Chad pleads.
"Bad things you sold my family out to Fairy Godmother, they poisoned my father by mistake and killed him. Then I and my mother were rounded up but in cages and chains, I was injected with a milder dose of the same poison so I couldn't practice magic. And when I was being carted away I saw you in the cave I dragged you to when we first met and those eyes your face colder than ice. No sympathy or empathy why shouldn't I show the curtsey to you?" Marcel responds, Chad closes his eyes for a second remembering that day all too well.
"I never meant for your father to die, I was selfish when I made the deal and sold you out. I was going to warn you but I was too late. I meant what I said before you were captured. I was going to run away with you. To start a life with you to be free with you." Chad explains.
"Well when you made that deal with the Fairy Godmother, you broke our promise. So now you have to be a big boy and find a way around your new predicament." Marcel replied. Chad sighs it was clearly no use Marcel would never help him again.
"I see now Marcel, enjoy your day," Chad tells Marcel before walking off. Neal who has just finished locking up walks over to Marcel.
"You were listening weren't you?" Marcel asked.
"Guilty, charity case. How are you feeling?" Neal responds.
"Tired," Marcel answers.
"Wanting to throw Chad with magic, angry?" Neal questions.
"Oddly no, I feel like something has been lifted rage, anger, bitterness. All the weight on my heart it's gone." Marcel spoke, Neal smiles.
"That's great all that negative emotion isn't good for anyone. But the question is do you hate Chad still?" Neal told Marcel.
"I-I actually don't believe I still do or ever actually did. I think I hated the situation hated what he did." Marcel answered.
After leaving Marcel, Chad found himself being watched by various townspeople. Some looked with sympathy, curiosity and others disgust and feeling uncomfortable. Marcel's words still stuck in his head 'So now you have to be a big boy and find a way around your new predicament.' Marcel was right but the question was how to find a way around this new predicament. The more he walked the more he had chance to think and then he came to a conclusion little baby steps and the first might already be one of the hardest things for him to do in his life!
Eventually, Chad was able to find Evie, walking into some front garden. He chases after her before she could go inside the mansion.
"EVIE, wait," Chad calls out. Evie recognises the voice and turns, she still wasn't particularly fond of Chad but was polite.
"CHAD! Y...You look..." Evie starts.
"A monster, I know but that's not why I'm here. I'm here to do to say something I've should have said a long time ago, Evie," Chad interrupts.
"I don't understand Chad," Evie says.
"I'm sorry for treating you like you were nothing more than a tool for someone to do all my work. I'm sorry for treating you like a villain when you're the furthest thing from one. You never deserved that." Chad apologised, it wasn't easy he was taught that princes were never wrong and admitting he was wrong is what a weak person would do.
"I-I that must have been very hard for you to apologise, Chad." Evie acknowledge.
"You have no idea. But you deserve to hear it. A lot of people do actually." Chad responded.
"Why did you start using girls to complete all your work for you in the first place Chad?" Evie asks.
"No one outside my family except for a very select in Auradom knows and have seen me like this my true appearance. One that of pure disgust that gives nightmares, nightmares. I wasn't supposed to be here at all. My grandfather resents my existence, I thought the world owed me, so I thought it was acceptable that it was my right to treat people how I felt to make me feel better and I was wrong." Chad explained.
"Chad, what your grandfather did was horrible and there will be a lot of people that see you the way he does. But there are a lot more people who see the good in everyone I've learned that here. Our appearances don't make us monsters it's our actions." Evie spoke.
"So, am I forgiven?" Chad questions.
"Yes," Evie answered.
End of chapter 25.